Lightning-rod low top.



T. S. SWENSON.

LIGHTNING ROD LOW TOP.

APPLICATION FILED JAN. 10, 1914.

1,127,696. Patented Feb. 9, 1915.

Emma V1301 S. Swezzsmz THE N'WRIS PETERS Ca. PHarouTHo wasnmmmx' n L UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

JOHN S. STEVENSON, OF GRESCO, IDVJA. ASSIGNOR TO ELECTRA LIGHTNING- ROD COJNIPANY, OF CRESCO, IOXVA.

LIGHTNING-ROD LOV] TOP.

Application filed January 10, 1914.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, JOHN S. SWnNsoN, a citizen of the United States, residing at Cresco, in the county of Howard and State of Iowa, have invented new and useful Improvements in Lightning-Rod Low Tops, of which the following is a specification.

The invention has relation to lightning conductors and more particularly to the top which is fastened to the building or other structure to be protected and extends above such structure to receive the charge or bolt of lightning, the novelty residing in the particular form of such top, whereby the same is braced in all directions and makes simple and positive connection with the conductor and the structure.

The invention consists of a top for lightning conductors having integral braces which are adapted to be secured to the structure and to the conductor by the same fastening means.

The invention also consists of a brace for such top, said brace having its upper end connected with the lower portion of the top by means of a slip joint and having its lower portion longitudinally split and spread to form supplemental braces which are arranged in a plane at a right angle to the plane of the braces of the top and which are adapted to be secured to the structure, thereby bracing the top in every direction.

The invention further consists of the novel features, details of construction and combination of parts, which hereinafter will be more particularly set forth, illustrated and claimed.

In the drawings hereto attached, Figure 1 is a perspective view of a top and lightning conductor embodying the invention. Fig. 2 is a sectional View of the top. Fig. 3 is a sectional view of the conductor and the end of the brace overlapping such conductor and securing the same to the structure to which the lightning conductor is attached.

Corresponding and like parts are referred to in the following description, and indicated in all the views of the drawing by the same reference characters.

The invention relates more particularly to what is designated as a low top for lightning conductors in contradistinction to a high top which is considerably longer than the low top and requires special bracing.

The low top is designated by the numeral Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Feb.9, 1915. Serialfm'o. 811,481.

metrical curved lines. These spread portions constitute the braces 2 and their lower ends are concave or hollow upon their lower sides, thereby enabling them to fit closely over the conductor 8 which usually consists of a copper cable. The fastenings 4 usually consist of staples which are driven over the lower ends of the braces 2 into the structure 5 thereby confining the conductor 3 and retaining the same in place. The top 1 is stayed at right angles to the braces 2 by means of a brace 6 which is slipped into the lower ends of the top 1 at the juncture of the braces 2 therewith. The lower portion of the brace or stay 6 is split longitudinally and the split portions are curved in opposite directions to form braces 7 which are arranged in a plane at a right angle to the plane of the braces 2, the lower ends of the braces 7 being secured to the structure 5 by suitable fastenings 8. The slip joint formed between the stay piece 6 and the top 1 admits of adjusting such stay piece so that the lower ends of the braces 7 may be brought in contact with the structure 5 and securely fastened thereto. The stay piece 6 preferably consists of a length of tubing which is of a diameter to snugly fit within the tubular part of the top 1. It is observed that the part 6 may be turned to bring the braces 7 in the plane of the braces 2 so that a number of tops may be stored in a small space, it being understood that the part 6 is turned to bring the braces 7 in a plane at a right angle to the plane of the braces 2 when the top is fitted to a structure to be protected.

From the foregoing description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawing, the advantages of the construction and of the method of operation will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art to which the invention appertains, and while I have described the principle of operation of the invention, together with the device which I now consider to be the best embodiment thereof, I desire to have it understood that the device shown is merely illustrative, and that such changes may be made when desired as are within the scope of the invention as claimed.

Having thus described the invention What is claimed as new, is

1. In combination with a lightning con: ductor, a top having integral braces at its lower end which extend in opposite directions with their lower ends overlying the conductor, and fastening means securing the ends of the braces to the conductor and fastening such braces and conductor to the structure to which the lightning appliance is fitted.

2. In combination with a top for a lightning conductor, such top having opposed braces at its lower end, and a stay piece connected at its upper end with the top by means of a slip joint and having integral braces at its lower end to extend in a plane about at a right angle to the plane ofthe braces of the top.

3. A top for a lightning conductor, the same consisting of a tube having a point at its upper end and having its lower portion split longitudinally, the split portions eX tending in opposite directions to form braces, and a stay piece having its upper end fitted to the lower portion of the top by means of a slip joint and having its lower portion split longitudinally and the split portion extending in opposite directions to form braces which are adapted to occupy a position at a right angle to the braces of the top.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

JOHN S. SIVENSON.

Witnesses:

ALICE M. DAVIS, J. P. THOMSON.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents, Washington, D. G. 

